Rhode Island Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites

For years, sports fans have had questions surrounding the legality of sports betting in Rhode Island. We can now say with confidence that there are multiple options for legal Rhode Island sports betting that only require you to log into your phone or take a short drive to a nearby city. Rhode Island is one of the most progressive states when it comes to New England sports betting, as it was the first in the area to legalize sports betting. Now, sports fans in RI have been using offshore online sportsbooks to bet on their favorite teams for decades, and we can still consider these legal Rhode Island sportsbooks. However, the state expanded its options to also offer brick and mortar sportsbooks that local residents can visit for an entirely new experience.

How did this happen? This page will seek to answer that question. Designed as an educational resource for Rhode Island gambling enthusiasts, this page will begin by examining some of the specific legal and criminal issues that pertain to sports betting in Rhode Island. From there, we will turn our attention to all of the methods for safe and risk-free sports wagering that Rhode Island natives can find.

Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Rhode Island?

The legal questions come first. Is it legal to make bets on sports in Rhode Island? The answer is an irrefutable yes! Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling on PASPA, Rhode Island enacted legislation to regulate the sports betting industry. The state had preemptively legalized sports gambling via voter referendums in 2011 and 2016, but had to wait until after the Court decision in order to take further action on regulation.

Now, residents of Rhode Island can legally wager on their favorite sports teams in-person (in Lincoln and Tiverton) and online. Offshore sportsbooks that operate over the internet are still as valuable as they have always been. These online sportsbooks are safe venues for Rhode Island natives looking to bet on their favorite athletic events. And, fortuitously, these sportsbooks will prove plenty happy to help Rhode Island residents place their bets!

The next question on the minds of Rhode Island residents is the simple matter of whether betting on sporting events can land them in trouble. There is no trouble to be found, assuming bets are placed through trusted and reputable bookmakers, like the offshore sportsbooks we mentioned above or state-licensed books. Rhode Island sports betting law legalizes internet and mobile wagering for local sports enthusiasts.

By always placing your bets at legal Rhode Island sportsbooks, residents can shield themselves from any legal complications—and, they can have a great time betting on sports.

Where Can Rhode Island Residents Bet Sports Online?

The obvious follow-up question is, which online bookmakers can be trusted? Which can Rhode Island residents feel comfortable gambling with? There are plenty of online sportsbooks, but not all of them are necessarily recommendable. There are, however, a few that stand out from the rest, emerging as highly respected and secure online gambling sites. State-regulated sportsbooks will offer much of the same as their land-based counterparts, but we have taken the liberty of doing the legwork and rounding up three such offshore sportsbooks—all of them reviewed below, all of them highly recommended to Rhode Island residents.

Bovada Sportsbook is the first entry on our list, and not without reason. This has long proven the favorite option of Rhode Island gamers, as it offers a perfect blend of safety and fun. We’ll list a few features in each of these categories.

First, there is the matter of security. Rhode Island residents need to feel comfortable as they gamble, and as such, they need to locate online sportsbooks that are licensed and legitimate. Bovada Sportsbook is both. The operators have been in the industry for decades and employ fraud prevention protocols for your protection. Bottom line: Rhode Island residents can gamble here without fear and without worry.

And it happens to be a very fun online sports betting site, as well. Here players can place wagers on all of their favorite sporting events. Whether you want to bet on the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Providence Friars, or Providence Bruins, you can at Bovada. You even have the option to bet from your iPhone or Android! Again, the bottom line is simply that this is a highly recommendable online sports betting site for Rhode Island residents.

Rhode Island natives may also wish to look into BetOnline Sportsbook, a prestigious online sportsbook if ever one existed. And how could it be anything less? BetOnline Sportsbook has been around since 1991, so it brings quite a legacy to the online gaming experience.

Again, though, there is more to recommend this sportsbook than its integrity and its respectability. The gaming experience that it offers is superior. Here, Rhode Island natives will find not only sports betting but also race betting—and even casino-style games! Playing is easy, too; it takes but a few moments to set up an account and to make an initial deposit. When you make your first deposit, make sure to check out their 50% Welcome Bonus that will add up to $1,000 to your bankroll with code BOL1000.

All of this is to say nothing of the other features offered by BetOnline Sportsbook—among them live betting facilities, large bonuses, and highly secure banking methods. All told, this is a terrific option for Rhode Island sports betting enthusiasts.

Finally, we turn our attention to a third terrific option for Rhode Island residents—5Dimes Sportsbook. This one, too, comes with quite a pedigree. 5Dimes Sportsbook is run by the esteemed 5Dimes Group, a reputable company from the online gambling industry. It is licensed through Costa Rica. In other words, it is an online sportsbook that Rhode Island gamers can feel confident about.

5Dimes is a great choice for plenty of other reasons as well. It offers top odds on all of the most buzzed-about sporting events, and it lets players gamble from their smartphone, tablet, or laptop. You will have access to just as many betting lines and wagering options. No matter where you wager from, you can also claim their New Player Reward which is valued at up to $520. Though it is last on our list, it is by no means to be ignored or neglected by Rhode Island gaming enthusiasts!

Rhode Island sports betting laws are relatively cut and dry. RI HB 7200 legalizes Twin River casinos to accept sports wagers from patrons age 18 and older. These casinos are located in the towns of Lincoln and Tiverton, with the law only authorizing wagers at these specific locations. RI HB 7200 permits sports betting on collegiate and professional sports, though no bets will be accepted on Rhode Island college teams. This is the sole sports betting law in Rhode Island and it was passed as part of a larger state budget.

There are two types of online sportsbooks that are acceptable for Rhode Island residents to use. The state does regulate internet gaming, which means that some of the online sportsbooks accepting RI residents are regulated. Others, such as Bovada, BetOnline, and 5Dimes, are based offshore and are not regulated. Both online sports betting options are completely legal and safe for residents to use.

Current State Of Online Sports Betting In Rhode Island

The long and short of it is that Rhode Island sports betting is now 100% legal, in every shape and form. Residents can visit the Twin River or Tiverton casinos when they want to visit a brick and mortar location. Online sports betting is also regulated in the state, though sports fans can still continue to use offshore sites for better odds. Rhode Island residents can find ample opportunity to place wagers on sporting events, and they can do so without a worry about legal liability. The secret lies in finding a reputable and above-board sportsbook; start your legal Rhode Island sports betting journey with any of the sportsbooks featured on our site.

What Is The Sports Betting Age In Rhode Island?

Unlike most other states, you do not have to wait until you are 21 to gamble. As soon as you turn 18, you are able to make your sports bets in Rhode Island. This means that you can get started sooner and gain more experience with the sports betting environment.

Is Mobile Wagering Legal In Rhode Island?

Right now, Rhode Island does not allow its residents to use their mobile device to place their sports bets. But that is looking to change soon. Lawmakers are currently on passing a bill that will legalize mobile wagering. If they are successful, all you have to do is sign up at a physical sportsbook and you will be able to place your bets no matter where you are in the state.

What Teams Can I Bet On In Rhode Island?

Whether you are visiting one of the sportsbooks in Rhode Island or you are going to an offshore online sportsbook, you can bet on nearly any team you want. However, there is one restriction you have to be aware of: you are not allowed to wager on Rhode Island college teams while you are visiting the state’s land-based sportsbooks. If you really want to get on the action on a team from Rhode Island, then head to an online offshore sportsbook.

Should I Use A Bookie In Rhode Island?

Using a bookie in Rhode Island is the worst way you can make a sports bet. If you are caught using a bookie because you wanted to place a bet on a Rhode Island college team, you will get into serious legal trouble. Just take our advice and use the sportsbooks provided by the state or you should use an offshore sportsbook if you really want to bet on Rhode Island college teams.

Will I Get In Trouble For Sports Betting Online In Rhode Island?

The short answer to this question is no, you will not get in trouble for sports betting online in Rhode Island. Even though the state has legalized land-based sports betting, they haven’t allowed for the action to go online or your mobile device just yet. That doesn’t mean they have outlawed the action though. If you don’t want to travel to a sportsbook in the state, you can go ahead and place your bets online without having to worry about you getting into any legal trouble.